Prominent racing identities John Messara (left) and Alan Jones in a stand during the Easter Yearling Sales in recent years. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph
RACING NSW chairman John Messara believes some significant race program changes and a surge in prizemoney can lure international competition to Sydney for the autumn carnival next year.
Messara is at Royal Ascot this week and has taken particular note of how the famous English racing carnival now attracts some of the best racehorses from all over the world.
Despite the disappointment of watching Animal Kingdom's unplaced Queen Anne Stakes run, Messara said he is even more determined to develop Sydney's showcase autumn carnival into an "international destination event" like Royal Ascot and Melbourne's spring.
"There is no reason why we could not attract international competition to Sydney for the autumn carnival in the years to come," Messara said.
"I'm certain we can get some horses from Europe, Asia and also the west coast of America. I've spoken with (Animal Kingdom's US trainer) Graham Motion and he has expressed an interest in what will be happening in Sydney next April.
"If we can get some international competition that will add a lot to our carnival."
Messara conceded the timing of Sydney's autumn carnival makes it difficult for European trainers to commit to a down under trip.
"It is early in the year for the European trainers but once they know what it is we are planning and the prizemoney we are going to distribute, I'm sure they will plan around it," Messara said.
"We won't get a huge European contingent but I still feel we can get sufficient numbers of very good overseas horses. We want to make Sydney's autumn carnival an international destination event."
Messara said Canterbury was the obvious racetrack to use as a training and stabling facility if any international gallopers do compete in Sydney next autumn.
"With the merged club, there is no reason Canterbury could not be used for that purpose over a restricted period," he said.
"But Racing NSW is also investigating other alternatives as well."
Messara said Royal Ascot works so well because of its iconic carnival status rather than huge prizemoney.
"A good part of Royal Ascot's success is obviously because of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II's attendance and also other members of the Royal Family," he said.
"There is great pageantry with each of the five days and the whole meeting is so well attended. I think Australian racing is as good as anywhere in the world but that is not to say we can't learn from successful meetings like Royal Ascot."
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